This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Gambia, The
Introduction
Gambia, The
Background:
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.
Geography
Gambia, The
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources:
fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8 cu km (1982)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%) per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
People
Gambia, The
Population:
1,735,464 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0–14 years: 43.9% (male 382,385/female 378,853) 15–64 years: 53.4% (male 459,315/female 466,689) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 24,303/female 23,919) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.724% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
38.36 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15–64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 68.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.95 years male: 53.06 years female: 56.9 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.13 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,800 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2%